Erick Thohir's Capital Strikes In 2024

JAKARTA - The name of the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir appeared in the 2024 presidential candidate market version of a number of research institutions. This political map is so interesting. Erick did not just appear but outperformed a number of other big politician names. Seeing the political capital they have, it is not impossible that the 51-year-old man will be a surprise in the upcoming contest.

Last August, Erick's name was included in the presidential candidate exchange version of the Indonesian Political Indicator. In the survey, Erick outperformed the General Chair of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, and the Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PDI-P (PDIP) Puan Maharani. Erick is in tenth place, with an electability of 1.6 percent. Airlangga and Puan were in 12th (1.1%) and 14th (0.4%).

At the top of the list is Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, whose electability is 26.2 percent. Prabowo is strong but not prominent. Beneath him, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo shadows with 20.8 percent. Meanwhile, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan took third place, with an electability of 15.5 percent.

"Prabowo Subianto still seems to have more support as a presidential candidate than other names, but he doesn't stand out. The main competitors are Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan. Then Sandiaga Uno, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Ridwan Kamil," said Director of Political Indicators Burhanudin Muhtadi in a virtual press conference, 25 August.

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (Source: Ministry of SOEs Documentation)

The Political Indicator Survey was conducted by means of face-to-face interviews from July 30 to August 4, using the multistage random sampling method. There were 1,220 respondents involved, where the confidence level was 95 percent, with a margin of error of around 2.9 percent.

In another survey released by Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO), Erick's electability has increased. Compared to the survey conducted in April, Erick's electability jumped sharply, from 0.2 percent to 4.7 percent. That figure even approaches the Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil.

The results of another survey conducted by the Voxpol Center simulated the presidential-vice presidential candidate pair if the election was held today. Erick is simulated as a vice presidential candidate who accompanies Ganjar. Both simulations are the most superior with 32.6 percentages. Higher than Puan-Anies Baswedan (24.8%) and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Muhaimin Iskandar (10.8%).

"This is a simulation of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, we make as many as possible. There are about 29 simulations, with 10.6 percent answering others and 11.1 percent answering either they don't know or they don't answer," said Voxpol Center Executive Director Pangi Syarwi Chaniago.

Erick Thohir's Capital
SOE Minister Erick Thohir (Source: Ministry of SOEs Documentation)

In addition to the survey results above, SOE Minister Erick Thohir has a number of other important assets. Director of the Voxpol Center Pangi Syarwi Chaniago assessed that Erick has the potential to compete in the 2024 political contest because of his nationalist and religious image.

In addition, the figure of Erick who is far from controversy is also an added value. These things, according to Pangi, are the reasons why voters turn to Erick. "Erick has never been a figure whose political comments and statements contain negative sentiments," Pangi told VOI, Tuesday, October 5.

Erick, according to Pangi, is a populist. The market reach is wide. Erick can be accepted by many groups of voters. Not suddenly. According to Pangi Erick, he has logistical strength. He also showed strong leadership while leading the Ministry of SOEs.

Furthermore, populist preparations, such as good looking, as well as the ability of Erick and his team to do branding. "The trend of electoral concoction of popularity, likeability and electability is good. The growth trend is Erick's capital, which is not necessarily owned by other candidates for president or vice president," said Pangi.

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